GOP Taps Bob Turner for Weiner’s Seat

The Republicans have named businessman Bob Turner, the party’s nominee in 2010, as their candidate in New York’s Sept. 13 special election to replace longtime Rep. Anthony Weiner, who gave up his seat on June 16 after being caught sending lewd photos of himself to several women via Twitter.

Turner, 70, will face Democrat David I. Weprin, a former city councilman and state assemblyman from Queens.

Turner, a retired cable television executive, waged a spirited campaign against Weiner a year ago, garnering 40 percent of the vote against the six-term incumbent in the liberal-leaning district.

Many observers in the district expected Eric Ulrich, a 26-year-old New York City Council member, to be the GOP’s nominee, but Ulrich announced Tuesday he would not be seeking the seat. With Ulrich out of the picture, Turner defeated Juan D. Reyes, a lawyer who had worked for former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, to secure the nomination.

“Bob ran strongly against the incumbent last time, and we know he has the momentum now going into this special election to win and send a strong message to Washington that the people need real change for the American people,” said Queens County GOP Chairman Phil Ragusa shortly after Turner received the party‘s nod.